We’ve all heard the phrase ‘Business as usual’. It’s used to describe situations where things proceed in the normal or expected way, without any major disruptions or changes. It’s like saying everything is running smoothly, despite any challenges or unusual circumstances.
This Year of Jubilee is far from ‘business as usual.’ Pope Francis in the Bull of Indiction for the Year of Jubilee writes: ‘Francis, Bishop of Rome, Servant of the Servants of God, to all who read this letter may HOPE fill your hearts’. Business is not usual. One of the many titles Pope Francis likes to use is: ‘who serves everyone, who serves for everyone’. The justification for this title is found in Matthew 20:26-27: ‘Whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first, let him be your servant’.
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
Pope Francis epitomises for us servant leadership. From a Catholic perspective servant leadership reflects the example of Jesus Christ, who taught that true leadership is rooted in the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity. In Mark 10:45 Jesus says, ‘For the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’. In Catholicism, our leaders are called to prioritise the needs of others, promote justice, and act with compassion.
I attended the funeral of a priest in Melbourne, and it was said in his 93 years of life, he led a full and rich life, rich in humanity rather than possessions. He was described as a traveller, an innovator, a friend of refugees and those in need.
STEWARDSHIP
Catholic servant leadership is guided by the key virtues of humility, selflessness and charity. It emphasises stewardship over power, seeing leadership as a responsibility to nurture the spiritual and personal growth of others. Outside the funeral, I met a whole group of Tamil men, who I used to visit in the Detention Centre, who told me they loved and were inspired by the priest, as he never left them alone. He was there during the lockdown years, presiding over Eucharistic Celebrations for them via zoom, all of which we had grown used to it, and even years later, his generosity, kindness, and compassion remained unforgettable.
LIVES OF LEADERS
Popes, saints and Catholic leaders are not the only ones called to be servant leaders. We have examples in the lives of leaders throughout history such as St Mother Teresa, St Francis of Assisi, and our own St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – all who exemplified servant leadership by dedicating their lives to the poor and marginalised.
In organisations, workplaces and communities, it can be difficult to foster Catholic servant leadership in a culture that sometimes doesn’t highlight ethical decision making or where the dollar drives all business. Yet, we continue to be called to ensuring that leadership is not about status but about solidarity and serving others with love and integrity.
We have a clue in the first line of the lyrics of the song popularised by Richard Gillard in the 1970s ‘The Servant Song’ – ‘will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you’.
This year is far from ‘business as usual’. In all our encounters, experiences, times of solitude, prayer, togetherness, community – we are called to be bearers of hope.
For as in the words St Paul writing to the Romans ‘Hope does not disappoint’ (Rom 5:5).
